Zlatan Ibrahimovic keen on Manchester City - if they make him the world's highest earner

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has apparently opened the door to a move to Manchester City - if the Barclays Premier League outfit make him the best-paid player in the world.

Barcelona say publicly that their Sweden striker is not for sale, but it is understood he has been offered to clubs and his days at the Nou Camp seem numbered following the arrival of David Villa from Valencia.

Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini is a huge fan of a player he got the best out of at Inter Milan, but Sportsmail understands that City have a number of other targets in their search for a new striker.

However, reports in Catalonia say City have mooted an offer worth £16.5million plus Robinho for the 28-year-old.

Ibrahimovic is said to be settled in Barcelona but is open to a reunification with Mancini.

Intermediaries have held talks in which it was made clear that the striker would seek a record-breaking salary to join a side playing outside the Champions League, with his demands perhaps reaching as much as £250,000 a week.

City have handed new signings Yaya Toure and David Silva generous deals worth £160,000 a week, but are sensitive to their wealth being exploited.

Italian agent Mino Raiola - who represents both Ibrahimovic and 19-year-old Balotelli - told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport that he had spoken to City owner Sheik Mansour recently, but he refused to disclose which player they had discussed.

In a seperate interview, Raiola repeated claims in the Italian press that City had made a bid for troubled Balotelli.

'Was there a real offer from City? Yes, there was but it is not for me to say,' he said.

'However, Mario has a special relationship with Mancini because he debuted with him.

'Mario Balotelli's situation is calm. He is an Inter player. There are no negotiations, hence, he will remain at Inter.'

However, the teenager is unpopular among Inter fans, not least for his open support of city rivals AC Milan.

He also fell out with boss Jose Mourinho and Raiola said he could not rule out Inter deciding to cash in on a player tipped to lead Italy's forward line.

Raiola is more sure that Ibrahimovic will stay in Spain until he decides it is time to move on and played down reports linking the player to AC Milan.

'What the player wants is what Barcelona wants,' said Raiola. 'Both parties have stated they don't want a move to take place.

'The club has declared that it doesn't want to transfer him. I have always said that Zlatan will move when he decides to move.'

Loan star: Santos want Robinho to stay in Brazil beyond the end of his deal

City are likely to cash in on Robinho this summer, with Besiktas and Barcelona showing interest.

Barca are keen to strengthen down the left flank, particularly following Thierry Henry's departure, but reports in Catalonia suggest coach Pep Guardiola has misgivings about the Brazil forward.

For his part, Robinho returned to Santos on Monday and reiterated his desire to extend his stay at the club where he started his career.

'I hope to continue at Santos, but we have to talk to Manchester City,' he said. 'That is the most important thing because we must respect their position. But I want to stay here.'

Santos say they have the money in place to cover his wages for a loan deal extending to the end of the year but they are unlikely to try to sign him permanently.